A lucky end-of-the dance catch of Fire on the shores of Muriwai. I had seen the furore from the light show across the world on May 11th, but unfortunately I had to work late and thought I would miss all the fun. At 11:30pm I headed out of Auckland and into Muriwai. Arriving at the car park, the sky is dark and still. I was chatting with some tourists who were also trying their luck, lamenting how we must be too late, when someone shouts out and points towards the beach - a red flare. I scoop up my tripod and bolt down the sand, and across the water lights up a curtain of flame. By the time I finished fumbling with my camera settings, dodging the incoming tide, I managed one clean shot of ethereal fire above Muriwai. Barely a minute passed, and the fire burned up and faded. A magic moment to witness - the reddest I’ve ever seen.
